OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the prescription patterns of Selective Serotonin (Norepinephrine) Reuptake Inhibitors (SS(N)RI) in patients treated by general practitioners (GPs) and neurologists/psychiatrists (NPs).

METHODS: We identified patients who received an initial prescription (Rx) of SSRI or SSNRI in 2016 (index date) in the longitudinal pharmacy database (IMS LRx^®), covering approximately 60% of all Rx from statutory health insured patients. Only patients with a minimum of 12 months of available pre-index data and a minimum of 12 months of Follow-up available were included. Furthermore, patients were excluded if the received SS(N)RI within 3 years prior to index date and if they were less than 18 years old at index.

RESULTS

: CONCLUSIONS: GPs prescribed about 60% of Rx in the year 2016. A fourth of all patients who received at least two Rxs switched to another prescriber during FU, which was associated with age, the type of SS(N)RI, physician, gender and previous prescriptions of other antidepressants.